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Tigers out to tame Vikings

HEADINGLEY will attract another huge crowd today when Castleford Tigers take on Widnes Vikings for a place in next year's Super League. More than 21,000 are expected to watch the National League One playoff, which will be preceded by the Conference and National League Two finals.

The implications for both clubs are obvious. Next year will be the last to end with automatic promotion to the elite division (assuming the winning club's ground and "business plan" are adequate). Thereafter Super League moves to a franchise system, under which applications to join the top division will be heard every three years. The chances of a club that has proved itself capable of competing with the best for a year being granted a franchise may be higher than those of the winner of National League One.

In that respect, Castleford may need to win more than Widnes. Their Wheldon Road ground does